2024 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees

Presented By: Venable LLP

Mustafa Al-Adhami
CEO
Astek Diagnostics Inc.

Astek Diagnostics develops a precision diagnostic technology designed to determine the existence of bacteria in urine.

• He and his team recently raised a multi-million-dollar capital round from Ayana Capital, with participation from Wexford SciTech Venture Fund, Key Technologies, She’s Independent, Goldin Ventures, and the Abell Foundation.
• The funds will be used to continue research and commercializing technology.

 

Graham Boyce
President
Jobe and Company LLC

Jobe and Company is a representative and distributor of engineered plumbing and industrial solutions for the HVAC and industrial markets across the mid-Atlantic region.

• Last year, Graham sold the company to Hobbs & Associates, a portfolio company of Madison Dearborn Partners.
• He was instrumental in building out the company that he had previously acquired 18 months earlier.

 

Dan Edelstein
CEO
Haystack Oncology

Haystack Oncology is a developer of a liquid biopsy diagnostic technology designed to optimize treatment strategies and dramatically improve outcomes for patients with Cancer.

• The company was acquired by Quest Diagnostics for an estimated $392 million last June.
• Part of the deal included a contingent payment based on hitting milestones between 2023 and 2028.

 

Matthew Hankey
Chief Executive Officer
New Energy Equity

New Energy Equity is a national end-to-end renewable energy project developer, financier and long-term project owner that specializes in all aspects of community solar and distributed generation and small utility scale renewable energy transactions.

• The company was recently acquired by Allete for approximately $165.5 million.
• The acquisition was part of ALLETE's strategy of additional investment in renewable energy and related infrastructure across North America to support their sustainability-in-action strategy while providing potential long-term earnings growth.

 

Deborah Hemingway
Managing Partner
Ecphora Capital

Ecphora Capital is a venture capital firm that seeks to invest in companies operating in biomedical, medical devices, and biotechnology sectors

• Baltimore is emerging as a hotbed for medtech startups and M&A activity because of Ecphora's investments.
• Deployed more than $8M across eight companies

 

 

Mike Leffer
Managing Partner

Douglas Falk
Venture Partner

David Narrow
Venture Partner
Riptide Ventures

Riptide is an angel network that seeks to invest in consumer, software, and healthcare companies.

• Over the past 18 months, Riptide Ventures has closed 22 investments—eight in Baltimore—and invested more than $15 million.

 

Jay Steinmetz
Founder
Barcoding Inc.

Barcoding is a supply chain optimization and warehouse automation solutions provider.

• Jay and his team were acquired by Graham Partners in September.
• Focused on deploying and managing automatic identification and data capture technology with this new capital influx.

 

Colleen Vacelet
President
Intreegue Designs Inc.

Intreegue Landscape Architecture supplies doors, frames, and hard, as well as toilet and bath accessories.

• Colleen acquired Order Green Supply (OGS) last June, which allowed her to expand operations and the scope of services.

 

Kory Bailey - Social Impact Award
CEO
UpSurge Baltimore

Kory Bailey grew up loving sports and technology. A former professional athlete with over a decade of leadership in both early-stage startups and big tech, Kory has emerged as a thought leader on equitable economic growth and the biggest advocate for the tech community in Baltimore. The father of 3 boys is a proud Baltimore city resident who enjoys hosting community gatherings, experiencing the arts, culture and history of the city, and shining a light on Baltimore’s tech leaders whenever possible.

 

Anton C. Bizzell, MD - Social Impact Award
CEO
Bizzell US & Bizzell Global Ventures

Dr. Bizzell is a HUBZone-certified, minority-owned, consulting, strategy, investment, and technology firm that designs innovative solutions to help build healthy, secure, connected and sustainable communities in our nation and around the world. Bizzell delivers data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to the world’s most complex health, economic, security, and sustainability challenges. Under Anton’s leadership, Bizzell is the second-fastest growing small business in Maryland and the third-fastest growing black-owned small business in the nation.

 

John Sheets - Social Impact Award
President & CEO
Pantheon Vision

Pantheon is a subsidiary of Keralink International, which is dedicated to treating, curing, and preventing corneal blindness in low-and-middle-income countries. Pantheon is currently fundraising for its next round of capital, which will be used to continue expansion and development of its bioengineered corneal impacts.